WEConnect International in SA

(December 15, 2015) This half day course offered its participants the opportunity to gain essential knowledge and develop the practical skills required to lead the process of implementing a strategic plan. Attendees were also instructed on the techniques of analyzing a macro environment, initiating development of an integrated strategy and identifying the base of any successful approach.

The training included presentations and interactive group sessions, where the Women Business Owners present shared and built on each other’s business strategies. The training was enjoyed by all who attended and also offered networking opportunities. This session was attended by 34 business women and was facilitated by Koffi Kouakou, a senior lecturer at the Wits School of Governance, where he teaches Strategic Government Communications and Scenario Planning.

(December 17, 2015) As part of our commitment to promoting Women Business Owners, WEConnect International in South Africa held a business writing training course, the primary purpose of which was to equip those present with the skills required to write clear, concise, effective business prose in an efficient and professional manner. It was also intended as a refresher for those with an extant strong background in professional writing.

This short course focused on professional documentation such as emails, letters, reports, tenders, proposals and social media. The training was attended by 24 business women and was facilitated by Koffi Kouakou, a senior lecturer at the Wits School of Governance, where he teaches Strategic Government Communications and Scenario Planning.

(5 November 2015) WEConnect International in South Africa was hosted by Intel for a Women Business Owners Networking and Connect Session in Johannesburg this October. Nearly 50 women business owners attended to get an update on WEConnect International in South Africa following the appointment of Jean Chawapiwa as Executive Director in August 2015. The session included presentations from WEConnect International corporate members Cummins, Accenture and Intel as key corporate supporters of WEConnect International in South Africa and members of the Advisory Council. Inputs was also received from supporting women empowerment organisations Utho Business Accelerator, Women’s Presidents Organisation (WPO) and USA based Vita Global.

The connect session included all women present being given the opportunity to introduce themselves and talk about their business in order to encourage linkages, business and partnerships amongst the business owners. The benefits of Certification were discussed in detail with corporates adding their voice to their eagerness to work with women business owners. Namely, WEConnect International certification is important them as they don’t have time to identify, register and certify businesses.

A similar event was held in Cape Town on the 23 October, where Jean shared the information from the Johannesburg session and encouraged the established women-owned businesses in attendance to begin the certification process.

"I work with a lot of women-owned enterprises in South Africa and across the African continent, and my vision for those women is to ensure that they are successful and that they have access to business opportunities within the corporate sector," said Dr. Chinje.

One example of how Weconnect International has helped women entrepreneurs is Dorothy Botsi, founder and director of Botho Ubuntu Cleaning, a 100 percent black woman-owned enterprise. Today Botsi employs over 500 women across South Africa, and ensures they have a better future. For her, having a business that employs mainly women is extremely important, and she feels that WeConnect International helps emphasize that importance.